Wednesday's business
The House agreed Tuesday’s business and then Wednesday’s business, after Deputy McGrath queried the handling of the Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021. The Minister said there would be time to debate it tomorrow and that most of the House supported the approach.
Is the proposal for today's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for Wednesday's business agreed to?
Comment on this
In circumstances in which all four legislative measures that make up the Health and Criminal Justice (Covid-19) (Amendment) Bill 2021 could have been extended individually, why has the Government lumped all these legislative measures into the issue to be debated in a new Bill commencing in the Dáil tomorrow? The Bill was passed by the Seanad yesterday. The Government is trying to create confusion, as far as I can see. A simple vote by Members of the House on whether to extend the restrictions to November or perhaps February is all that is required. The Government has now conflated the issue into four legislative measures. This is a type of four-card trick it is playing with the public. I want a debate on this.
I want to know why this issue could not be dealt with in one piece of legislation.
Comment on this
I understand there will be time for a debate on that subject. My understanding is that the vast majority of the House is supportive of the approach. If there is anyone with a contrary view, they will have every opportunity to articulate it tomorrow.